Cutter-type box for dispensing packaging film with protective mounting for the cutter

ABSTRACT

A cutter-type box for dispensing packaging film includes means such as a separate insert for rotatably supporting a roll of the film within an enclosure defined by a rectangular box container which has a closeable cover flap or panel. This film in the enclosure is fed outwardly through a transverse slit defined in the top cover for delivery over an edge at which a cutter is arranged. The cutter is supported on a panel or flap with a foldable portion permitting the cutter to be oriented either upright to project above the surface of the top cover when the cover is in a closed position or downwardly so as to be maintained within the enclosure and protected by the cover from damage during shipment.

United States Patent Stine [54] CUTTER-TYPE BOX FOR DISPENSING PACKAGING FILM WITH PROTECTIVE MOUNTING FOR THE CUTTER [72] Inventor: Orrin Burr Stine, New York, NY. [73] Assignee: Borden Inc., New York, N.Y.

221 Filed: June 25, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 49,870

[52] US. Cl. ..225/47, 225/90 51 1m. 01. .....B26i3/02 5s], FieldofSearch ..225/89, 46, 47,48, 54, 46, 225/53 [5'6] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,144,970 8/1964 Beschmann ..22s/4s x 1,521,369 12/1924 l-lamersley ....225/47 1,978,154 10/1934 Benson ..22 5/48 1 51 July 25, 1972 3,565,307 2/1971 Wiley et al ..225/47 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorney-George P. Maskas, Edward L. Mandell and George A. Kap

' [57] ABSTRACT A cutter-type box for dispensing packaging film includes means such as a separate insert for rotatably supporting a roll of the film within an enclosure defined by a rectangular box container which has a closeable cover flap or panel. This film in the enclosure is fed outwardly through a transverse slit defined in the top cover for delivery over an edge at which a cutter is arranged. The cutter is supported on a panel or flap with a foldable portion permitting the cutter to be oriented either upright to project above the surface of the top cover when the cover is in a closed position or downwardly so as to be maintained within the enclosure and protected by the cover from damage during shipment.

. 6 Clal1ns, 4 Drawing Figures PMENTEDJULQS'QYZ BEST AvAmA- BLE-CO-PY 3.679.110

CUTTER-TYPE BOX FOR DISPENSING PACKAGING FILM WITH PROTECTIVE MOUNTING FOR THE CUTTER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the construction of containers or cartons and, in particular, to a new and useful container of the cutter-type which includes a cutter edge mounted in the vicinity of the front of the container and which may be oriented upwardly in a position to cut strip material which is fed from the container through a slit defined in the cover thereof or it may be oriented so as to be enclosed by the cover and protected by it.

Most cutter edge dispenser boxes or cutter-type boxes on the market fall into two categories. In the first category, the cutter edge is protected during shipment but the user must then place it in its functioning position before the cutter edge can be utilized. This is inconvenient for the user and is frequently the cause of minor injuries. In the second category, the box is shipped with the cutter edge in place but the protruding edge is subject to damage in transit.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved mounting for a cutter of a cutter-type carton which includes means for shifting the cutter knife between an upright position at which it is oriented to project above the top cover of the carton or to a retracted position at which it may be accommodated within the carton and protected by the closing of the cover. I

In the preferred arrangement, this is accomplished by providing a panel upon which the cutter is mounted which includes a foldable upper portion. When the cutter is to be protected, such as during the shipment of the container, it is folded downwardly and contained within the container where it is protected by the cover. In the operative position, it is folded so as to extend substantially vertically upwardly and project above the top of the front panel of the box. It is held and reinforced in this upward position by the closing of the cover behind the fold line of the panel carrying the cutter.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cutter-type container or box construction which includes a cutter arranged adjacent the top of the front panel edge of the container and which is mounted so as to be selectively oriented to project above the top of the cover in a position for cutting the strip material contained in the container or to be oriented within the container at a position at which it is protected for shipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cutter-type box which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container with a film reel supporting insert constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled front perspective view of the container indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a cutter-type box or container generally designated which is of rectangular configuration and which includes: two vertical rectangular side panels 12 and 14 which are formed as double walled reinforced panels, a

front panel 16, a bottom panel 18, a vertical rear wall panel 20 and a top cover generally designated 22 which includes tuckin flaps 24 and 26. The top panel or cover 22 is provided with a transversely extending slot 30 through which a length of film material 34 is fed from a reel or roll thereof 36.

A roll-supporting insert generally designated 38 includes a front panel portion 40 and two side panel portions 42 and 44 having openings for receiving journal elements 46 and 48 for rotatably supporting the reel 36.

The roll-supporting insert 38 is adapted to be positioned within the enclosure defined by the substantially rectangular container 10. In accordance with the invention, a cutter or knife 50 is carried on and extends completely across the top edge of the front panel 40 of the insert 38 and it is supported, when the insert 38 is within the container, at a level which is slightly above the level of a top edge 16a of the front panel. In the closed condition of the cover 22 the front flap 26 bears behind fold lines or score lines 41 of the panel 40 and supports the cutter 50 with its cutting edge 50a oriented vertically upwardly at a location above the top surface of the cover. The film material 34 which is fed from the reel 36 is directed through the slot 30 and over the forward portion of the top surface of the cover 22 and over the edge 50a of the cutter 50 to permit it to be torn away along the edge as indicated in FIG. 2. The closed cover 22 holds the cutter in a rigid vertical position for the cutting operation.

In order to provide means for protecting the cover during shipment, the invention includes a top panel portion 40a which is bendable about the score line 41 from the bottom panel portion 40b in order to orient the panel portion 40a substantially horizontally as indicated in FIG. 4 and to position the cutter 50 within the enclosure of the container at a location where it may be protected by the cover 22 when it is closed as indicated in FIG. 4. The arrangement permits the orientation of the cutter 50 in the position indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 4 when the container is to be shipped or stored. As soon as it is to be used, however, the cover is opened and the flap 40a is bent upwardly and then the cover is again closed to provide a reinforcement for the panel 40a along the score line 41. The side flaps 24, 24 are also of a length such that they reinforce and support the front flap 26.

In the embodiment illustrated, the cover 22 is provided with additional openings, such as wide, short slots 56 and 58 which are provided to facilitate engagement of the strip material 34 especially when the strip material 34 comprises a thin, plastic material which has a tendency to cling or to crumple. The user merely depresses the material into the slots 56 and 58in order to grasp the material.

What is claimed is:

1. A container for dispensing sheet material from a roller, comprising a generally block-shaped container body having a substantially rectangularly shaped flat, rear, bottom and two side walls forming an interior enclosure for receiving a roll of sheet material and a cover in association with said container; a cutter knife extending between said side walls and having an outer cutter edge; and means supporting said cutter knife adjacent said front wall for orienting said cutter edge upwardly at a location at which it projects above the top of said cover and for orienting said cutter edge in a retracted position at which it extends into the enclosure of said container to permit it to be enclosed by said cover wherein said means supporting said cutter includes a panel member having a bottom panel portion adapted to extend between said side walls and a top panel portion hinged to said bottom portion carrying said .cutter at its upper end and adapted to be folded downwardly cludes a slot extending transversely therethrough between said side walls for the passage of the strip material from the enclosure of said container.

6. A container, according to claim 5, including et least one additional slot adjacent the sides of said cover for permitting depressing of the strip material therein to facilitate the grasping thereof.

l III 1. l 

1. A container for dispensing sheet material from a roller, comprising a generally block-shaped container body having a substantially rectangularly shaped flat, rear, bottom and two side walls forming an interior enclosure for receiving a roll of sheet material and a cover in association with said container; a cutter knife extending between said side walls and having an outer cutter edge; and means supporting said cutter knife adjacent said front wall for orienting said cutter edge upwardly at a location at which it projects above the top of said cover and for orienting said cutter edge in a retracted position at which it extends into the enclosure of said container to permit it to be enclosed by said cover wherein said means supporting said cutter includes a panel member having a bottom panel portion adapted to extend between said side walls and a top panel portion hinged to said bottom portion carrying said cutter at its upper end and adapted to be folded downwardly in respect to said bottom panel portion.
 2. A container, according to claim 1, wherein said cover is hingedly connected to the top of the rear wall and being foldable about its hinged connection to said rear top wall to close said enclosure.
 3. A container, according to claim 1, wherein said panel member comprises a portion of roll-supporting insert, said roll-supporting insert including side portions supporting said panel member and providing means for rotatably supporting a role of the strip material.
 4. A container, according to claim 3, wherein said insert includes a single front panel and an end panel at each end of said front panel, said end end panels adapted to overlie the adjacent side panels of said container when said insert is positioned within said container.
 5. V container, according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes a slot extending transversely therethrough between said side walls for the passage of the strip material from the enclosure of said container.
 6. A container, according to claim 5, including et least one additional slot adjacent the sides of said cover for permitting depressing of the strip material therein to facilitate the grasping thereof. 